Simon Harris set to become youngest ever prime minister of Ireland after being named Fine Gael leader

Simon Harris is slated to take over as the next leader of Ireland - following the sudden resignation of Leo Varadkar.

The single individual who entered their name in the Fine Gael leadership competition was none other than Mr. Harris, the minister tasked with overseeing Ireland's continuing education initiatives.

The party has confirmed that he will become the leader on Sunday.

Minister Simon Coveney made a statement during the announcement that Simon Harris is the best candidate to head this party, and all individuals present should fully support him.

This clears the path for the 37-year-old to potentially be the youngest leader of the country.

Mr. Harris gave his first speech as the leader of the party, expressing how much of an honor it is for him. During his speech, he showed his respect towards the previous leader, reiterated that his party is pro-European and supports Ukraine. Additionally, he appealed for an instant truce in Gaza. This moment was extremely meaningful for Mr. Harris.

He emphasized the importance of sticking to the basic principles that have benefited this country.

"He spoke of aspirations for a better future. He mentioned the importance of business. He emphasized the need for everyone to have equal chances. He talked about being honest and trustworthy. He touched on the topic of safety and protection."

I have been a member of this party since I was 15 years old, and those principles have always been and continue to be very significant to me.

He advocated for a methodical and long-lasting approach to immigration, as it was a root cause of violent unrests in Dublin in the previous year. He also encouraged his party to combat the rise of populist movements and intentional division among people.

He stated that it is necessary and inevitable to achieve this goal in a polite, truthful, and determined manner, without stirring up animosity or attacking others personally.

It is probable that Mr Harris will be elected as taoiseach officially in April at the Dail, which is the lower house of the Irish parliament, after the Easter break.

The resignation of Mr Varadkar, who was the previous leader of Fine Gael and the taoiseach, took everyone by surprise on Wednesday.

The individual who is 45 years old mentioned that they had decided to resign due to reasons that are related to their personal life and political beliefs.

The question being asked is about the identity of Simon Harris.

Mr. Harris, a member of Fine Gael, is originally from Greystones. This picturesque coastal town is located south of Dublin and is popular for commuters. In 2009, he was elected as a council member in Wicklow County with the biggest percentage vote out of all the councillors.

In a mere span of two years, he attained success in the Dail election, securing the third position in the Wicklow district. His victory at the age of 25 made him the most junior member of the parliament.

In 2014, he was appointed as a junior minister subsequent to his failed attempt to become a Member of the European Parliament.

He was believed to have a bright future within the political party Fine Gael. At the young age of 29, he became a part of the cabinet as the minister for health, after being chosen for the position by Enda Kenny, who was the Taoiseach at that time, in the year 2016.

Further reading: Clues suggested that Varadkar was considering stepping down. Analysis shows that the relationship between the United States and Ireland is strained.

The area of health has always been thought to be a tricky issue in Irish politics, but Mr Harris had big plans and saw it as a way to advance his career.

While serving as the health minister, he played a prominent role in the consequential referendum on abortion in 2018. He put a great deal of effort into advocating for a vote in favor.

He became a symbol for the Irish authorities' endeavors to fight COVID-19 during the outbreak, regularly appearing on the TV screens of the country.

Stay up to date with the latest news by following Sky News on WhatsApp. All you need to do is save our number to your contacts and send us a message saying "Hi". We'll then send you breaking news alerts, as well as stories from around the world. It's an easy and convenient way to stay informed. So, join the many others who are already following Sky News on WhatsApp.

Stay informed about the current events happening in the UK and worldwide by tracking Sky News.

Mr. Harris' transition from the Department of Health to his present position of overseeing tertiary education in June 2020 was perceived as a demotion. Nonetheless, many were convinced that he would eventually find success.

Mr. Harris is a devoted family guy who tied the knot with Caoimhe Wade in 2017. They now have two little ones named Saoirse and Cillian.

He still resides in Greystones and feels fortunate to call Co Wicklow his home.